Search for UK’s top franchisors

A nationwide search has been launched by the British Franchise Association to find the UK’s top franchisors in an industry now employing more than 327,000 people and worth an annual £10 billion.

The BFA Franchisor of the Year Awards, which also recognise outstanding brand building and enterprise, are designed to showcase Britain’s best-performing franchisors.

This year the theme for the top title - BFA Franchisor of the Year - is customer focus, with franchisors having to demonstrate to the judging panel how they are tracking consumer needs and responding with new systems, products and services to meet demand.

Says BFA Director General Brian Smart: “Franchising has direct benefits to hundreds of thousands of customers each year. The systems developed by a franchisor as best practice, coupled to the energy of an attentive franchisee, provide real customer focus.

“The Franchisor of the Year Awards honour the very best in franchising and highlight those who are proud to provide a customer centric approach as franchised businesses.”

This year the Franchisor of the Year Award has introduced Gold, Silver and Bronze awards within the category. Entries are also being invited for the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year prize, which seeks to show how franchisors have both supported and added value to their brands during the last 12 months, and the HSBC Award for Enterprise, which recognises how franchisors have used creative business strategies to overcome challenges.

The winners of the awards will be announced at a gala luncheon at London’s Savoy Hotel on May 24, 2007. Closing date for entries is March 2, 2007.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Members Only section of the BFA website at www.thebfa.org